Jammu, Dec 1: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar on Thursday called on the people to reiterate their commitment towards fighting AIDS and eradicating this “silent killer” from society.
“We should be committed to removing the stigma associated with this disease so that the affected persons come forward for testing and treatment and do not feel any kind of segregation from society,” the Advisor said while speaking during the World AIDS Day programme at Padmashree Padma Sachdev (PPS) Government PG College for Women (GCW) Gandhinagar here. The programme was organised by Jammu and Kashmir AIDS Control Society (JKACS) in collaboration with the college under the theme ‘Equalise: Achieving Equity to End HIV’.
Addressing a large gathering of students, medical researchers, doctors, college faculty and other senior officers of the health department, Advisor Bhatnagar said, “We have come a long way in ensuring that an HIV-infected person lives a productive life with hope and confidence and therefore it should be our firm resolve that we provide all possible handholding to the affected persons and help them live a normal life.”
He said a well-established system has been put in place by the government for affected persons and the need is to create awareness among them so that they can benefit from this system. “Students have a great role to play in creating awareness among the people about the spread of this disease as well as reducing the stigmatisation associated with it,” he said.
The Advisor said the launch of the SOCH (Strengthening Overall Care for HIV beneficiaries) portal by JKACS is a very significant step as it will help to track and record beneficiary service and inventory transactions in the National HIV programme to improve service delivery and beneficiary health outcome. He also appealed to all concerned to make every effort to combat drug abuse addiction and needle use associated with it. He also commended the JKACS, health department and other volunteers for working in this sector and establishing an equitable society for the affected persons.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Health and Medical Education, Bhupinder Kumar said that access to healthcare is a challenge when it comes to AIDS. “With the advent of social media and the digital world, an environment of information and awareness on prevention of AIDS can be created for better care of patients as well as for reducing their stigmatization,” he said.
Aryans Nursing students organise rally, debate
With the aim to encourage everyone to eliminate the disparities and inequities that create barriers to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing, prevention, and access to HIV care, Aryans Institute of Nursing, Rajpura, Near Chandigarh organised a seminar on World AIDS Day on this year’s theme “Rock the Ribbon”. Dr Deepshikha, Community Health Officer, Kalomajra was the keynote speaker and addressed Aryans B.Sc Nursing, GNM & ANM students. The event was presided over by Dr Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group.
While interacting with the students, Dr Deepshikha said that AIDS is one of the deadliest pandemics in history. “Despite the virus only being discovered in 1984, it has claimed the lives of almost 35 million people. Today, there are laws protecting those living with HIV, there have been scientific improvements in HIV therapy, and we know a lot more about the disease. Despite this, many individuals are diagnosed with HIV each year while many others living with the disease still experience stigma and prejudice.”
On the occasion, all faculty members and students wore red ribbons and participated in various competitions including a rally, nukkad natak, debate, speech, poster presentation, etc & were given appreciation certificates and medals. Mrs Nidhi Chopra, Principal, Aryans Institute of Nursing made the students take the oath for their participation in raising awareness about AIDS in society.
GDC Jourian students make reels, posters
Government Degree College Jourian organised an awareness programme on the eve of World Aids Day on the theme “Equalize”. The programme was organised by the Red Ribbon Club of the College in collaboration with the Red Cross Society of India.
Various events including reel-making and poster making were conducted in the college. Principal Dr Anuradha Pandoh talked in detail about World Aids Day and preventive measures. She cautioned the students to refrain from immoral activities and drugs, particularly the use of syringes.
Students of Red Ribbon Club – Kashish, Shushmita, Mitakshira, Isha, Vishali, Abhinandan, Abhishikh, Kashish Mehra, Nidhi Manhas along with other students participated in the programme. Convener of the Red Ribbon Club, Prof Naseeb Kumar Bhagat stressed the importance of such activities for making students aware of AIDS.
Dr RakeshBharti, Convener IQAC, Dr Vandana Rajput, Programme Officer NSS Unit, Dr Nazim Mohi Ud Din, Dr Sushma Kumari, Prof Pardeep Kumar and Mr Rattan Lal were present during the programme.
Need to spread awareness: Principal GPJ
Red Ribbon Club of Government Polytechnic Bikram Chowk, Jammu in collaboration with J&K State AIDS Control Society on Thursday organised a poster-making competition in the institution to commemorate Worlds AIDS Day. More than 50 students participated in the competition with great zeal and enthusiasm and expressed their thought through posters.
Principal, Er Arun Bangotra, interacted with the students and educated them on how to combat the disease. The theme of the competition was ‘Equalize: Achieving equality to end HIV’.
The main aim of the event was to make the students aware that HIV continues to be a global health concern due to a number of shortcomings, including division, inequality and contempt for human rights, and that there is a need to make the masses aware of the disease.
Taniya Nanda, 3rd-semester Mechanical Engineering got first prize, Rajeshwar Singh of Architecture Assistantship second prize and Manveen Kour 3rd semester Mechanical Engineering third prize. The programme was organised under the supervision of faculty of the college Sanam Gupta, Sakshi Kapahi, Irfan Rasool, Janeeta, Itika, Suresh Kumar, Kamal Kumar and Akash Dasgotra – the members of Red Ribbon Club.
IMS holds blood donation drive
Institute of Management Sciences, Jammu in collaboration with HDFC Bank and association with Red Cross and GMC Jammu on Thursday organised a blood donation drive which was conducted on the eve of “World Aids Day” under the umbrella of “Social Club” to spread donor awareness in society.
“The drive was arranged to remind each one of us that the need for blood is universal, but access to blood for all those who need it is not,” the institute said in a statement.
The event commenced with Mr Gurpreet Singh (Cluster Head Operations, HDFC Narwal) presenting the bouquet of flowers to Dr Meenakshi Sharma (Director IMS), as a token of appreciation. The students and faculty of IMS College enthusiastically lined up to donate blood “for the betterment of society”.
Chairman, Jamwal Group Er Vidhi S Jamwal and Managing Director Er Renu Bangroo applauded the enthusiasm shown by the students and motivated the faculty and students to organise more such social activities and contribute to society.
Members of Red Cross – Dharni Singh and Jeet Sharma – arranged the equipment and beds for the blood donation drive. Blood bank, GMC representative Dr Annu Radha Rajwal along with her technical staff – Shabnam, Sunita Rani, Tripta Sharma, Masrat Jaan, Afsana, Yasir Bashir and Erica – made the drive possible. Faculty of IMS Asst Prof. Rahul Gupta, Asst Prof Divya Jamwal and Asst Prof Sheetal Sharma coordinated the event.
